For giggle, I pulled up some info on a VW diesel with exactly 1/2 the displacement.
Quote:
From Wikipedia
2.0 R4 16v TDI CR
132 kilowatts (179 PS; 177 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm; 400 newton metres (295 ft·lbf) @ 1,500-2,000 rpm — Volkswagen Transporter (T5) GP biturbo
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The engine in my Explorer is a 4.0L V6 with 155 hp and 220 lb/ft torque.
So I would halve the engine displacement, add 22 hp and 75 ft/lb torque, plus increased fuel economy. And if I kept the transmission stock, it wouldn't be an issue, as I rarely revved to 4000 rpm with the gasser, and it redlined at 5500 rpm anyways.
I'd likely never find the money to do this ideal setup, but it illustrates how different a low tech gasser is compared to a modern turbo charged diesel.
And FYI while I may call the 4.0L low tech, it had direct ignition (instead of a distributor) and multiport fuel injection in a day when the distributor and throttle body injection were still in common usage.